Iraq Welcomes Military Aid from Any Country: Envoy
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraq’s ambassador to Tehran said that his country is ready to receive any kind of assistance, including military aid, from other countries as part of its efforts to fight against terrorism.
“Iraq sees no obstacle to cooperating with other countries and utilize their capabilities,” Iraqi Ambassador to Iran Mohamed Majed Abbas al-Sheikh told reporters in a press conference in Tehran on Tuesday.
In reply to a question about the US failure to comply with its obligations to Iraq and the country’s plan for arms supplies from other sources, he said, “we have not asked any country to support Iraq and its people.”
There is a strategic agreement between Iraq and the US, but only in the case of Baghdad’s request Washington would offer its help, the Iraqi diplomat added.
However, he said that Iraq is willing to receive any type of assistance from any country and the issue has nothing to do with Baghdad-Washington security pact.
Earlier last week, the Iraqi envoy had emphasized that Iran’s help is not about sending forces or weapons, but it provides "spiritual support" for the Arab country.
The Iraqi diplomat's remarks came as Western media outlets had claimed that Iran had deployed its Quds Force members to Iraq. The allegations had been backed by the Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby.
In an interview with the Washington Post, Sheikh denied reports that Iranian fighters were already present in Iraq, adding that there are enough people in Iraq who can defend their country as it is the Iraqi nation’s task to do so.
Following the recent movements by the terrorist group ISIL, Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul as well as Tikrit in Salahudin Governorate fell into the hands of the extremists after they had captured Fallujah in December.
After the ISIL offensive, Iraq’s senior cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a religious decree (Fatwa) calling on Iraqis to take up arms against the extremist militants advancing towards capital Baghdad. Following the Fatwa, tens of thousands of volunteers have joined the armed forces to fight against the ISIL.
